Freak wind killed mum-of-four

A MOTHER-of-four died after being blown `several metres' by a freak wind, an inquest heard. Yung Kiu Wong, 60, was one of five Greater Manchester victims of January's powerful storms when she died after the accident near the Urbis museum in Manchester city centre.

A MOTHER-of-four died after being blown `several metres' by a freak wind, an inquest heard.

Yung Kiu Wong, 60, was one of five Greater Manchester victims of January's powerful storms when she died after the accident near the Urbis museum in Manchester city centre.

Mrs Wong was walking along Corporation Street on the afternoon of January 18 when she was swept off her feet and hit her head as she landed in the road.

During the Manchester inquest, the incident was likened to a scene from the science fiction film The Matrix, where characters fly through the air with apparent ease.

Passer-by Ben Williams, 37, helped Mrs Wong, of Redwood Drive, Cheetham Hill. As he bent over her, another gust picked her up off the ground, at which point he grabbed her to stop her banging her head again.

Mr Williams, from Glossop, said: "She then decided to get up so I took her to sit down at a nearby café while my friend phoned for an ambulance.

"At that point she started vomiting.

"She then seemed to gain control and began picking up her belongings until the ambulance arrived."

He added: "Mrs Wong was only a slightly-built lady - no more than around five foot - but it was one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen, to see her carried for several metres through the air. It really was like a scene from the film The Matrix."

Injuries

Mrs Wong, who worked in Chinatown restaurants for more than 30 years until her retirement, died in the Manchester Royal Infirmary from her injuries on January 22.

Manchester coroner Nigel Meadows said Mrs Wong sustained severe head injuries after landing on her and recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "It must have been an incredibly strong gust of wind that led to Mrs Wong being blown off her feet and it is extraordinary to think of such weather conditions occurring in this country."

Five people from Greater Manchester were killed and dozens badly injured when the 80mph winds battered the region.

Joyce Cosadinos, 60, was killed when a 10ft stone wall collapsed as she walked along Fern Close, in Marple, Stockport.

John Cook, 62, from Weaste, Salford, died after hitting his head on the ground when he was blown over in North Street, Strangeways.

Derek Barley, 61, of Manchester, died after he was struck by a falling tree in Middlewich, Cheshire.

Lorry driver Kris Doran, 49, from Moston, died when her vehicle was blown off a by-pass near Skipton, Yorkshire.